Bloodborne Pathogens Safety

Overview

CAUTION!

If you are stuck by a needle or other sharp or get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately flood the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available. Report this immediately to your supervisor and seek immediate medical attention.

What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens.

Who needs this information?

All employees who may have occupational exposure to human blood, body fluids, or unfixed tissue; human cells or cell lines; or HIV or Hepatitis B Virus are required to comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Standard.

Exposure Control Plan

In order to reduce or eliminate the hazards of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, Wright State has an Exposure Control Plan to eliminate or minimize occupational exposures. The plan includes:

exposure control;

methods of control;

use of universal precautions;

use of engineering controls;

use of work practice controls;

use and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE);

housekeeping;

regulated waste (infectious waste);

laundry;

availability of hepatitis B vaccinations to workers with occupational exposure;

availability of post-exposure evaluations and follow-up to an exposure incident;

use of labels and signs to communication hazards;

information and training to workers; and

maintenance of worker medical and training records.

also describes how Wright State uses a combination of engineering and work practice controls, ensures the use of personal protective clothing and equipment, provides training , medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, and signs and labels, among other provisions.

Compliance with this program is mandatory.

Exposure Control Plan

Written Opinion

The University must provide the employee with a copy of the evaluating health care professional's written opinion within 15 working days of the completion of the original evaluation. The opinion for post-exposure evalution and follow-up should include:

whether or not the employee received the vaccination,

that the employee has been informed of the results of the evaluation;

that the employee has been told about any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials that will require further evaluation or treatment.

All other findings or diagnoses will remain confidential and will not be included in the written report.

All laboratory tests are conducted at no cost to the employee.

Contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (937-775-2215) if you have post-exposure evaluation or follow-up questions.

Medical Records must be maintained for the duration of the worker's employment plus 30 years.

Example Written Opinion Form

Health Care Professionals

Written Opinion For Post-Exposure Evaluation*

Employee Name:_____________________________________________

Date of Incident:_____________________________________________

Date of Office Visit:__________________________________________

Health Care Facility Address:__________________________________

Health Care Facility Telephone:________________________________

As required under the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard:

______ The employee named above has been informed of the results of the post-exposure health evaluation.

______ The employee named above has been told about any health conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials which require further evaluation or treatment.